Bernice L. Jensen

Bernice Lenore Jensen, 95, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Bernice was born July 15, 1922, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fergus Falls to Leonard and Bertha (Sander) Danielson. The family moved to Superior, Wisconsin, where Bernice attended kindergarten and first grade, before returning to Fergus Falls. Bernice went to school at District 80, and to Fergus Falls Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1941.

On February 13, 1942, Bernice married Vernon Jensen in Salinas, CA at the Fort Ord Chapel, where Vernon was stationed with the U.S. Army. Bernice found work nearby at Consolidated Aircraft, as a “Rosie the Riveter”, a wartime role she was proud of. When Vernon was sent overseas to join the fighting in Italy, Bernice returned to Fergus Falls to live.

After Vernon’s discharge from the Army in September, 1945, the family continued to make their home in Fergus Falls. When Vernon started his construction business, Jensen Construction, by building homes for his family and then selling them, Bernice patiently packed and moved the family numerous times. She was a full-time homemaker and was active in Ladies Aid at Zion Lutheran Church and a volunteer at Lake Region Healthcare for many years. After their children got a little older, Bernice worked for a short time as a beautician at Norby’s Department Store in downtown Fergus Falls. When Vernon died in February, 2012, Bernice moved to the Broen Home, where she lived until moving to PioneerCare in recent months.

Bernice and Vernon enjoyed dining and dancing to old time music at local clubs. She also loved playing the piano and organ as a self-taught musician who played “by ear”. They enjoyed playing card games with friends and family members, especially pinochle. Bernice relished the many road trips she and Vernon took to most of the states in the U.S., especially their annual trips to the southwest and west coast visiting friends and relatives. In addition, Bernice loved her trips to Alaska, Norway, and several European countries with family members. She had a special fondness for cats, especially her cat Muffins, as well as for birds, and collected many decorative items that reflected those interests. She also had a large collection of bells, many of them bought as souvenirs from her travels; most of the 100+ bells are now treasured by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At Christmas, Bernice made traditional Norwegian flatbread, krumkake, lefse, and rommegrot to share with her family, and has passed on those traditions and recipes. Time spent with family was the most important thing to Bernice, time with her children, grandchildren and their families, and also time with extended family, especially her Danielson double-cousins and their families.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the doctors and dedicated caregivers who gave Bernice such loving attention during her last 5 ½ years at Broen Home and PioneerCare facilities.

Bernice was preceded in death by her best friend and husband, Vernon, to whom she was married until his death only five days before their 70th anniversary; her parents Leonard and Bertha, and brothers Milford and Chester.

She is survived by three children: Leon (Jeanne) Jensen, Duane Jensen, and Linda (Bill) Doughty, all of Fergus Falls; four grandchildren: Eric (Teresa) Jensen, Brady Jensen, Ryan (Jill) Jensen, and Laura Payne; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Irene (Jensen) Smith of Ventura, CA.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017, at Olson Funeral Home Chapel
Clergy: Reverend Chris Eldredge
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com